Matt Jones has won the 2015 Australian Open despite going two over par in the final round on Sunday.
REPORT: JONES CLINCHES OPEN FROM SPIETH, SCOTT
Jordan Spieth was Jones’ closest rival when the day began and finished one stroke behind him, but impressive performances from Adam Scott and Rod Pampling saw them come close.
The lead was up in the air as the day progressed, but a birdie from Jones on the 16th hole put him into the sole lead, and a 15-foot miss from Spieth on the final hole allowed Jones to make an easy putt for the win.
Final leaderboard
Matt Jones -8
Jordan Spieth -7
Adam Scott -7
Rod Pampling -6
Matt Jones leads the race for the 2015 Australian Open at ten strokes under par coming into the final round on Sunday. Join The Roar for a live blog of the day’s events from 12:00pm AEDT.
The final round might seem like a two horse race, or if you’re Matt Jones, a case of catch me if you can. Jones is three shots clear on -10, but the man chasing him is Word Number 1, Jordan Spieth, on -7.
Spieth is the reigning champion at the Australian Open and looking to go back-to-back. Last year he finished the tournament on -13, six strokes ahead of runner-up Rod Pampling.
If he does go back-to-back, Spieth would be come the first international player to achieve the feat at the Australian Open since Jack Nicklaus in 1976.
Rhein Gibson (-5) and Aron Price (-4) are also in with something of a chance, but with inclement weather looking likely, the chances of them getting close to Jones or Spieth are low.
Jones and Spieth are partnered together in the final round and their personal battle will most likely determine the winner of the Open.
Spieth trailed Jones by as much as eight shots at one point, but had a day’s best 67 in the third round to move back within striking distance.
He had a horror start – dropping three shots on the first four holes – but went seven under par in the last 10 to produce a quality result.
Spieth with no doubt look to put as much pressure on Jones as he can, but with three strokes up his sleeve, Jones looks to be in control coming into the final day.
He’s had a wonderful year, and winning the Australian Open would be a great way to cap it off. It promises to be a fascinating contest.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the final round of the 2015 Australian Open from 12:00pm AEDT.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
MATT JONES IS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION FINAL LEADER BOARD Jones -8 Scott -7 Spieth -7 Pampling -6
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
MATT JONES SINKS IT !!! MATT JONES is the Australian Open Champion
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Spieth taps in for birdie. Matt Jones has a 3ft for the win
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Spieth now needs a 15ft putt for an egale to go to -8 and he misses
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Matt Jones has left his birdie short has has 3 ft for a par.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Jordan Spieth from 228 meters has hit his 2nd shot just 15ft from the hole. He has a chance of an eagle on the 18th to go to -8. Matt Jones on the green but he will have a 20ft for a birdie.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Matt Jones has found the fairway bunker which mean he will have to lay up. Spieth driver is right down the middle. He needs an eagle to have any chance.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Spieth and Jones par the 17th hole. As final pair head to the 18th, Matt Jones leads by one shot. 18th Hole is a Par 5 Jones -8 (17) Scott -7 (F) Spieth -6 (17) Pampling -6 (F)
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
matt Jones on the 17th par 4, 3rd bump and run is perfect. Leaving him 5ft for par and head to into last hole with a 1 shot lead.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Matt Jones on the 16th has hit a fine approach shot. He has a 12ft putt for a birdie which he SINKS Jones now -8, one clear of Adam Scott who is back in the clubhouse at -7 Jones -8 (16) Scott -7 (F) Spieth -6 (16) Pampling -6 (F)
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Scott chip just missed but he taps in for a birdie and he is the clubhouse leader. Scott -7 (F) Jones -7 (15) Pampling -6 (F) Spieth -5 (15)
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Adam Scott from over 200m lands his 2nd shot on par 5 18th on the back edge. Should be able to get a birdie.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Spieth now on the 14th and his eagle putt just slides past the hole. He will tap in for birdie to take him to -6 Matt Jones also has birdie on the 14th and he is now outright leader at -7 Jones -7 (14) Pampling -6 (18) Scott -6 (17) Spieth -5 (14)
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Matt Jones long birdie putt ends up just short. He taps in for par to remain at -6. Spieth for birdie from the fringe but just 12ft away from the hole, just misses as well. Jones -6 (13) Pampling -6 (18) Scott -6 (16) Spieth -5 (13)
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Adam Scott misses the green on his approach shot on the 16th but recovers well with a supreme chip 2ft from the hole. He will remain at -6 with 2 holes to play
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Matt Jones chips in from the green side bunker on the 12th. Jones remains the co-leader on -6 Spieth has a bogey on the 12 to drop down to -5 Jones -6 (12) Pampling -6 (18) Scott -6 (15) Spieth -5 (12)
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Scott birdie putt misses by a whisker. He remains at -6 after 15 holes.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Adam Scott now on the 16th par 3, hits nice firm shot about 15ft from the hole.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Adam Scott has just left his eagle putt short but he taps in for par to be -6 as well. Jones -6 (11) Pampling -6 (18) Scott -6 (13) Spieth -6 (11)
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
On the par 3 - 11th Jones and Spieth both on the green. Speith has a 12-15ft and Jones is around 20ft away from the hole.